NOTES BY THE WAY 149 



During the present season, I obtained additional 

 proof of the fact that the tree-toad hibernates on 

 dry land. The 12th of November was a warm, 

 spring-like day; wind southwest, with slight rain 

 in the afternoon, — just the day to bring things out 

 of their winter retreats. As I was about to enter 

 my door at dusk, my eye fell upon what proved to 

 be the large tree- toad in question, sitting on some 

 low stone-work at the foot of a terrace a few feet 

 from the house. I paused to observe his move- 

 ments. Presently he started on his travels across 

 the yard toward the lawn in front. He leaped 

 about three feet at a time, with long pauses between 

 each leap. For fear of losing him as it grew darker, 

 I captured him, and kept him under the coal sieve 

 till morning. He was very active at night trying to 

 escape. In the morning, I amused myself with him 

 for some time in the kitchen. I found he could 

 adhere to a window-pane, but could not ascend it; 

 gradually his hold yielded, till he sprang off on the 

 casing. I observed that, in sitting upon the floor or 

 upon the ground, he avoided bringing his toes in 

 contact with the surface, as if they were too tender 

 or delicate for such coarse uses, but sat upon the 

 hind part of his feet. Said toes had a very bung- 

 ling, awkward appearance at such times ; they looked 

 like hands encased in gray woolen gloves much too 

 large for them. Their round, flattened ends, espe- 

 cially when not in use, have a comically helpless 

 look. 



After a while I let my prisoner escape into the 



